But ouch, that must have really hurt! I just discovered your blog! If you leave an affiliate or monetized link when making a comment on this site, such links might get overwritten by a plugin I have installed that uses my own internal tracking. Whether you’re replacing tiles on the bathroom wall or floor, first cut out and remove the old tiles to clean out the area.When you’re ready to install your new tile, apply a layer of mortar or thin-set to hold the tiles in place before applying grout … Drywall easily comes out in large chunks and it makes demo, disposal and clean up so much easier. And I don’t care what any one says, demo sucks. Another good place to start is at any spot where the grout has started coming loose. Enter your email address below to receive a monthly newsletter from Jeff's Toolbox. Once you've taken care of the grout , use your stiff putty knife again, tapping the end to slide it under the tile. In hindsight, I probably should have worn pants instead of shorts (it’s Georgia summer, though — it’s shorts weather unless something has the potential to be really dangerous). And even if your removal is perfect, tile will chip and send little bits flying, like in parts of the room that might also contain an eye or two. Sharp tools and shards of tile can be a tripping hazard, so it’s important to try to keep a clear path to walk around. Once the old caulk is gone, remove any loose grout between the walls and the tub or shower floor. As you might have already picked up on previous posts, my Instagram, or if you just have a pretty awesome streak of ESP this week, I’ve decided that my master bathroom is finally going to get my focus this summer. I hope it all worked out for you in the end! I think the “fun” of demo depends on your appetite for destruction and whether you are tired mentally or physically. A DIY tile shower weekend project is achievable as long as you plan everything properly and allocate adequate time for each required step. Removing and replacing grout or “raking out” as it is known is not a nice job. Join me for do-it-yourself home improvement tips, tutorials (even crafts and food! After the brush-on treatment, the surface will be ready to use within 18 hours. Don't use vinegar on travertine or stone. Replacing the tub or converting it to just a shower was more costly and time-consuming than I wanted, so replacing just the shower tile seemed like my ideal option, and I’m extending the shower tile along the back wall as well. Best of luck on finishing the bathroom quickly! An ordinary grout saw typically does not work for wall tiles, because of lug spacers that connect adjacent tiles … It was not a fun hiccup, considering that these materials are heavy and cumbersome when you want to hang  them! Unfortunately for us, the tile was attached to the wall not with mortar, but cement. However, slinging a sledgehammer repeatedly against a wall was satisfying (at least for the first hour or so.) This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Tiling a shower is a DIY project that you can usually accomplish in a few days with the right tools and equipment. The tile may not be sharp like you said, but it can still do some damage if it falls on top of it. From a distance, it looks fine, but there was damaged grout and some of the tiles around the edge were loose. Oh my goodness!!! See terms and disclosure page for more info! You know I’m laughing at myself for yet again having a suggestive tip for DIY, but honestly: if you are regularly doing DIY or woodworking projects and you don’t find yourself thinking “that’s what she said” at least once during each project, you might be doing something wrong. Put on protective eyewear and work gloves before removing the ceramic tile. Continue to until you have pried off all of the ceramic tiles that you wish to remove. Give your shower an update with new tile. You made it sounds so reasonable and explained it so well, I had to give it a try. The "shower" is actually an enameled tub that has tile around three sides. These seemed to be where the original drywaller rested the old drywall to nail it in, creating a small gap above the tub and wall (this gap is later covered up by the first row of tile, but its function is to  help prevent water from wicking up the drywall from the lip and corners of the tub). P.S. Also, keep that shower tile looking fresh in the future by regrouting wall tile. This method takes a while, but comes with a low risk of damaging the surrounding tiles. DIY Shower Renovation {Using an AMAZING System} Filed Under: Bathrooms, DIY, Makeovers, Projects. Out of all of this my ears perked up at “new tile choice “! And thanks for the compliment! The light hammering and angle of the chisel eventually caused the tiles to pop right off with ease. I’ve also found helpful information from professional tile forums when I have a question. 5 Steps for Removing Old Tile Step 1. Got to love people that just dicked around when they installed stuff originally… the glue on some of the studs thing makes sense to me. Over time, your bathroom tiles may get damaged or look outdated, but fortunately, you can replace them in an afternoon. I occasionally talk about other things, like life and food and travel, but it's mostly my obsession with DIY and power tools that you'll find here! Creating with my suggested methods, materials, and tools is under your own risk. Hey there! ;). Keep heavy-duty plastic bags handy to throw out waste as you work.Â. I especially agree about the safety equipment. But if it’s like mine, you can save quite a lot of it (I was just really aggressive and didn’t care about the old tile… a lot of it came off in whole pieces and broke when I tossed them onto the pile of other tiles). Required Tools for this Shower Tile Project. But before I get into the whole do-it-yourself project of how to tile … He swore it was only because I had the better putty knife, and while I can’t deny that I used a better quality tool, after a while he wanted me to whack at the grout lines on his side when mine started coming off in larger chunks. Fit the oscillating tool with a blade specially intended for removing tile grout. The best way to prevent your shower from failing and causing excess damage to your home is to regrout your shower. The only ones I left were around the bottom near the tub. Thanks in advance. Please see our full disclosure here. Read my full disclosure here. We’ll be releasing weekly blogs as the renovation progresses so make sure to follow Appliance Educator on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get all of the latest updates on our Renovation Series. We’d love to hear about your personal bathroom renovation stories in our comments! I think I’ve seen that before! In fact, I was wishing mine looked that good! If you find that a stud is sunk back into the wall, there are several ways to fix it. Apparently, the glaze on the tiles was micro-shattering and cutting my knuckles. Dig out the old grout from between the tiles, using a utility knife. The whole roof was resting on one wall… without any decent studs. If not, use a larger notched trowel. Removing fiberglass shower unit and replacing with tile. This is the spot that will be easiest to start removing the tile. Subscribing is one of the best ways to get updates, snag DIY tips, and see progress! Hey there! 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